Thank you for wanting to learn more.
We at Grace have a hope, a vision, a desire to bring people's full attention to God by connecting people to Jesus Christ and building a church community that mobilizes young people and empowers them to be mature and be on mission for Christ in any stage of life.
BERK'S BACKGROUND
I did not grow up in a Christian family. When I was young I was curious about spiritual things. I did go to Vacation Bible School where I learned some of the stories and my mom made me join a church choir so I'd learn to sing, but I felt out of place when it came to church. It was not until my late teens that I discovered what the Bible and Christianity were all about. I realized three things.
- I felt out of place because my spirit was wanting to do my own thing rather than submit to God's protection and guidance. This is what God calls sin.
- God loved me so much that He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross to pay for my sins and He rose from the dead to offer His Holy Spirit to any who would receive Him and trust Him for eternal life.
- Knowing this is one thing, but I personally had to ask Christ to forgive me and to come into my life to make me the man He wanted me to be so that I'd be free from sin and I could have unhindered fellowship with Him.
LISTENING TO GOD
While in graduate school, because of Scripture that I was reading, the counsel from some wiser and older trusted friends and some unique circumstances I sensed God leading me to be a pastor. While pastoring, many young couples we met expressed frustration with their lives. When my wife Barbara and I asked where they were in their faith most of them said a similar thing. "I used to take God and the Bible seriously, but when I went to college I put my faith in God on the shelf and now I'm confused." After hearing this and seeking much counsel, Barbara and I made a strategic decision. If people are at a cross roads earlier in life then let's do church on or near NCSU's campus. We and our six boys began a worship gathering on campus and began empowering others to learn from Christ through our small groups. We have seen people grow in their faith and have spun off several groups here and overseas who continue with the same vision as we started with. We want the world to know about Christ.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
It's been both an exciting and challenging adventure. We started off small and even as we grow we still want to maintain that sense of belonging. That is why our small groups are so important. We minister so that people can be ready for any stage of life. If people know the forgiveness, love, guidance and empowerment of Jesus Christ imagine how they will show forgiveness, love, character and empowerment to others. Everyone is either trapped by sin or struggling with sin. Jesus Christ is the only hope to really be free and He asks the church to be the vehicle in which all can know Him. When we think of making a difference, we may feel inadequate yet somebody pretty important (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) told us that as we keep in step with Him, we could make a difference in the world.
Discover what's next for you. Whether you are exploring the foundations of Christianity or you are looking for a place to serve and mature in your relationship with Jesus Christ, come join us, there is always room for more.
Your Friend,
Pastor Berk